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DEVELOPING: HEALTH OVERHAUL-NELSON, HEALTH OVERHAUL
ADDS: EARNS-CONAGRA FOODS
HEALTH OVERHAUL-NELSON
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)—Never presented as a special-needs state during the health care debate, Nebraska nonetheless stands to reap millions of dollars worth of financial goodies should the a Senate-approved version of the health care bill get final approval. Depending on who you talk to, it’s politics at its best or worst, and U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson is in the middle of it all. By Nate Jenkins. AP Photos
HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL
WASHINGTON—Senate Democrats won a crucial test vote on President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, putting them on track for passage before Christmas of the historic legislation to remake the nation’s medical system and cover 30 million uninsured. All 58 Democrats and the Senate’s two independents held together early Monday against unanimous Republican opposition, providing the exact 60-40 margin needed to shut down a threatened GOP filibuster. By Erica Werner.
AP Photos AP Photo NYBZ147.DCHH126, DCHH109, DCHH146, DCHH127, DCHH121, DCHH115, DCHH112.
TOP 10-STORIES
OMAHA—The state government’s financial problems caused by the state’s economic headaches were voted the top state stories in 2009 by members of The Associated Press. Finishing first in the survey was how Gov. Dave Heineman and the Legislature handled a projected $334 million revenue shortfall over the state’s current budget year and next. By Nelson Lampe. Eds: NOTE story moved in advance.
AP Photo.
With:
— TOP 10-LIST
— TOP 10-PAST
BUSINESS:
EARNS-CONAGRA FOODS
PORTLAND, Ore.—ConAgra Foods Inc.’s profit jumped 43 percent in the second quarter as the popularity of its foods continued to grow with frugal shoppers. The company, which makes Chef Boyardee, Marie Callender’s and Healthy Choice products, raised its full-year guidance for the second time in three months based on the strong performance. By Food Industry Writer Sarah Skidmore.
AP Photo NYBZ147.
ALSO:
— WELL-PAID MORTGAGES—The lowest mortgage delinquency rates in the nation next year should be in Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.
— CREATING JOBS—The U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon launch a series of community discussions to generate ideas to create jobs and boost the economy.
SPORTS:
— MISSOURI-YOUNG GABBERT—Another quarterback named Gabbert is headed to Missouri after spurning Nebraska.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— SWINE FLU-NEBRASKA—Health officials are now offering the swine flu vaccine to all Nebraskans.
— WINTRY WARNING—Weather forecasters are predicting that a midweek storm could make Christmas travel difficult in Nebraska.
— OMAHA HOMICIDE—Omaha police arrested a 57-year-old Omaha man after being called to investigate his wife’s death.
— POWERFUL PELLETS—A Nebraska company is trying to persuade utilities to try burning its corn pellets instead of coal to help meet renewable fuel goals.
— VISITORS BUREAU AWARD—The Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau has been awarded the 2009 Planners’ Choice Award by MeetingNews Magazine.
The AP, Omaha.
